Dancing for a Cause

   Their worldly backgrounds brought culture to Beacon Falls. Plus the audience they helped attract raised money towards a community cause, the library’s expansion.  

   The Connecticut Ballet’s dancers performed two successful performances at Woodland. A few dancers also mingled with quests at a Benefit Reception.

   According to Brett Raphael, Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Ballet, a production like The Sleeping Beauty, “takes a year of planning and is a big deal.” However the company still finds time to help the community.

   Raphael says, “[the company is] happy to do [community benefits] anytime to get people together to see the ballet and [contribute to] the benefit.” For, not only do people interested in the ballet go, but it is also a “new way of introducing people fond about the benefit to the ballet.”

   Another reason that brings people to the ballet is the chance to see the world-renowned Brazilian dancers, Luiz and Kerche. Cecilia Kerche has traveled throughout Latin America, Europe, Russia, and now the U.S. There is also a ballet shoe line named after her.

   Both Cecilia Kerche and Vitor Luiz are principal dancers of the Teatro Municipal of Rio de Janeiro. Luiz says that no matter where he performs, he is still “responsible for representing Rio de Janeiro.”

   Raphael says that Kerche and Luiz “speak wonderful English [and are] very international.” They were easily incorporated into the company because, “there was not much of a culture shock and [Luiz and Kerche] were great team players.”

   This is not a surprise, because a difference in cultures does not normally play a big part in ballet performances. As Raphael says, “A ballet performance is part of the universal language of dance.” 

   Though, there are many differences from performing for the Teatro Municipal to performing for the Connecticut Ballet

    Vitor Luiz said there were several differences between the two companies. According to him, the Teatro Municipal is bigger, more traditional, and he has more competition. “There people know me so I have to surprise them every time,” whereas with the Connecticut Ballet it “doesn’t matter, no one knows me here.” Despite the differences Luiz felt at home dancing for the Connecticut Ballet.

   Luiz and Kerche bring their Brazilian culture simply through who they are and where they represent. They are able to blend in with the Connecticut Ballet to perform a synchronized show, without any culture shock. Luiz and Kerche along with the rest of the Connecticut Ballet dancers, danced for a cause at Woodland.